The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1887-07-16
CHAPTER III


Fife Desmond sat drying her dampened
shoes hy the glowing open CRATE fires in
her cosy paTlOrs at the Victoria, while How
ard Thumdike stood by the window, gaz-
ing into the gloom outside and listening to
the plttsr Of rain drops against the win
dOW-paues.
4 cheerful picture to an observer, but
not to tie observed.
Ellie was moody and silent: Howard
vexed aud sorely distressed IN mind. 1t
was their first positive disagreement; their
first lovers quarrel.
Turning from the window he let his eyes
rest upon her for a loment. There was
warming expression in them at first as he
watched the nervous working of her pretty
features: but it was replaced by one Of
annoyance. He thought to himself how
could i be possible that such a beautiful
face an form could possess the cruel and
obstinate disposition she had evinced dur
ing the conversation of the last half hour.
She was perfect picture of loneliness
as she sat there.
Her dainty little feet rested on the bright
gilt fender; her carriage cloak was thro
back from her shoulders and laid over the
back OF her chair. displaying the perfect
symme.ty of her form TO advantage. She
was picking bon bons from a package that
y,
fire occasionally threw her handsome face
and golden hair into bold relief against the
nayy-llue satin lining of her iaunty hat,
which hat slipped partially off her head as
she leaned back.
There was a determined and unconquer-
able looliu her well-shaded blue eyes, and
tLey assumed piquant and saucy express
sion it such times as she glanced in the
mirror above the mautel at the peIplexed
and anxious face of her lover.
To see her conveying CONNECTIONS to her
rosy mouth with her almost childish little
hands, nditlerently nibbling at them with
her peaEly teeth. one would scarce suspect
her of temper that would induce her to
throw Aer diamond engagement ring at her
lover s feet IN pet
ct there 1t land, gIstening and cleaning
as thou h angry IN itself at its treatment
Howard ThOudike did not know what
to do or say; he was completely taken
aback. HIS pride was hurt. He couldnot
unders and such a nature as hers. She
was thoroughly changed from the girl he
had weoed and won but two short yeaEs
ago.
Should he marry her he would be tied to
a Won who was thOrou- hly enraptured
with L,r profession, the pursuit of which
she ob~lnately refused to give up, although
terms. That he still entertained a liking
for her there was no doubt; but whether
it was IL same liking he once entertained
toward her was a question
He 1T the question to himself and he
doubted if it was; yet pride kept him from
speaking the words he knew could separate
them forever. BesId 5, her sweet little
figure pleaded for itself; and, as he stood
Watching her, her peryerseness, her cruelty
to the Door chorus girl, her deceit toward
himself. all vanished from his recoIlec-
ton rs the sweetmeats she was eating van
i~hed from his sight,
Bending over, he raised from the floor
tie level She had ~purned; then holding it
between his thumb and foTeinger, he SAID,
in a de fded tone
PUTT on. Ellie, and wear it.
Size LesItated a little; but he still held 1t
there.
Coy.s ganciog in his face to see if he
meant j. she looked into eyes more reso-
lU,e I'll her own; then, without one word
she he.d up her finger for him to replace
the ring and her face Redeemed with shame
as she thought of the foolish display of
temper he had made, that nearly lost to her
the ml whom She really thought she
loved
~Nov dear. said Howard, do not letus
more & YOU about yOur stage matters.
When be stage has lost its charm for YOU,
come o. me or send for me AMI we viii be
married. Wear tins always: t may be a
Urotec On to you. Let IL mind YOU that
there some one who Will think of YOU
and have vour welfare at heart always.
loU Va. -oou tire OF the life Won have
chosen and then my arms viii be omen TO
receive You. / am sorry YOU are not my
wife to- light and under my protection; for
l have more than sufficient for both our
needs. Let me again ask You to write to
M. an / Mrs Desmond, and 10 let them
ow 81 are You are, what YOU are doing,
and wl YOU intend TO do. You are not
dong lat IN keeping 1t secret from them.
Will y.u please promise me YOU Will do
Thee is no necessity Of my doing so.
replied Lie, and / cannot write letters
Ncu da lot know how many quires Of pa
Per J us#, irving to write you letters about
II, but VAS of no use. I burnt them as
soon as heT were written. If l could not
write 10 YOU, how can 7 write to them.
Allow me to write for YOU or, better
still they expect ne 70 dinner next sun
day, an (, with your permission, | can tell
them then. think this would be the best
way"
ust as YOU pleASc' ~ toLA ds 4 10 NOT
have Ii writing to do Give them my best
regards, and tel them I like what am do
ing vev well, and that as long as do I
shall ntnue in the business. at that
rate { I'll probably he until / am too Old
10 -lLs SO, Howard, yog can see what
your veu prospects are for ever marrying
me.
Wei lie that as it may, File am con-
tent % slt, and viii try to think | shall
not ha t. wait long. / viii say nothing
turtle. bout u; but do wish you would